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Interview: Xbox director of accessibility, Anita Mortaloni

  • ElyohElyoh1,121,849
    Posted on 18 June 22 at 01:39
    I've personally noticed the growth in accessibility options, most specifically subtitles, in recent times. I always have subtitles on, and whenever a game doesn't have them I often struggle to hear everything going on.

    More power to them, and I'm glad Microsoft have this view! Thanks for the interview.
    No God, know fear. Know God, no fear.
  • Sneaky G WizardSneaky G Wizard1,635,196
    Posted on 18 June 22 at 03:28
    "When everyone plays, we all win"

    What about nasty, toxic people who only enjoy themselves by ruining the game as much as possible for other players? People who send offensive and insulting messages?

    It's a stupid phrase, almost as stupid as "Treat others as they wish to be treated"
    I have to politely disagree, they are all better off neither seen nor heard
  • SPOONYxBARDSPOONYxBARD1,480,055
    Posted on 18 June 22 at 05:29
    I deal with chronic neurological issues. Pausing cutscenes, increased subtitle options, and save anywhere features have all been welcome additions as they give me more freedom to enjoy the games.
  • Posted on 18 June 22 at 06:39
    I wish real life catered to the 1%
  • Posted on 18 June 22 at 10:05
    gavmanwv3 said:
    I am glad that they do offer the adaptive controller. The way I see it, what you get and/or born with should never affect having any opportunities in life(not just video games). Just because you have a disability doesn't mean you don't have abilitiesThere is more than one way to skin a cat and as along as people have those opportunities to play - that is truly fair play.

    Quickly though, one of the accessibility features has a personal place in my heart.

    I have two deaf cousins a little older than me. Both of them are pretty good. One thing they told me is that they hate not knowing what was going on in the cutscenes, because there were no subtitles to help.

    However, I showed one of them Forza Horizon 5 recently and turned on the sign language feature (which shows a translator in a inset signing the cutscene). My cousin doesn't cry often, but he broke down in tears after seeing that. He was blown away. He told me that this was a dream come true and he never thought it was possible in a video game.

    After he left, I wept too because I know how much that meant to him. cry
    A mist just formed in my eyes. Thank you for sharing.

    I believe we have a collective responsibility to care about accessibility, whether it is something that directly impacts our own social spheres or not. One day, there's a good chance it will. Better to get ahead with knowledge and understanding.
    Dread it. Run from it. Destiny still arrives.
  • gavmanwv3gavmanwv32,098,307
    Posted on 18 June 22 at 22:55
    Dr Popodopolus said:
    gavmanwv3 said:
    I am glad that they do offer the adaptive controller. The way I see it, what you get and/or born with should never affect having any opportunities in life(not just video games). Just because you have a disability doesn't mean you don't have abilitiesThere is more than one way to skin a cat and as along as people have those opportunities to play - that is truly fair play.

    Quickly though, one of the accessibility features has a personal place in my heart.

    I have two deaf cousins a little older than me. Both of them are pretty good. One thing they told me is that they hate not knowing what was going on in the cutscenes, because there were no subtitles to help.

    However, I showed one of them Forza Horizon 5 recently and turned on the sign language feature (which shows a translator in a inset signing the cutscene). My cousin doesn't cry often, but he broke down in tears after seeing that. He was blown away. He told me that this was a dream come true and he never thought it was possible in a video game.

    After he left, I wept too because I know how much that meant to him. cry
    A mist just formed in my eyes. Thank you for sharing.

    I believe we have a collective responsibility to care about accessibility, whether it is something that directly impacts our own social spheres or not. One day, there's a good chance it will. Better to get ahead with knowledge and understanding.
    Not a problem. smile

    I don't really have disabilities or need(s) for accessibility for myself, but I have been an advocate for people with conditions in my local area in the past. So I understand a little bit about what goes on (but not all of it obviously).
  • Colt45 UKColt45 UK244,349
    Posted on 19 June 22 at 01:51
    I'd love to see if Xbox includes an overlay to indicate where the audio is being heard from.

    Similar to this https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/audio-radar-see-the-sound but it's too expensive and it's not available to order from what I see.

    I've been waiting for something like that so I can play PUBG and a few other FPS. Fortnite has its own built-in but not PUBG? - I think all games should have visualised sound effects as I am not the only Deaf gamer.
    I'm a Deaf gamer! http://www.trueachievements.com/Colt45+UK.htm
  • yossarianoyossariano546,509
    Posted on 19 June 22 at 08:11, Edited on 19 June 22 at 08:43 by yossariano
    One can tell this is a good news article because of the interesting and postive comments. I hope publishers realise the benefit of putting the extra time into these features to everyone. I always have subtitles on because I play with the volume down not to alert the family I've sneaked away gaming. I'd also use the directional audio.

    Forza Horizon 5, I know it got a lot of Flak for the bugs it came out with. But maybe on reflection it was worth it, and they spent a great deal of time on accessibility - I had no idea it had sign-language support?!

    Will this site encourage reviews to spend a good deal of time on accessibility? The official Forza Horizon 5 review on this site doesn't mention accessibility once. The game features doesn't mention anything about support?

    Could these flags be included so someone hearing impaired could see at glance how accessible a game is?
    Yossariano
  • ChucklestyleChucklestyle1,583,635
    Posted on 19 June 22 at 08:22
    Lots of good comments in this thread, and love what I've seen accessibility wise in gaming lately.

    A good next step would be a list of requirements to be considered for Game Pass. For example TMNT has no subtitles so I hear mumbling but miss all the fun :(
  • AWhiteRangerAWhiteRanger411,031
    Posted on 19 June 22 at 21:45
    More subtitles need adding to a lot of games.

    Wandersong was a good example of a game that people who are colourblind or deaf could play, due to how the music colour wheel, would assist you without the need of hearing the musical note or seeing what colour it was.
  • ForbMedievalForbMedieval304,479
    Posted on 19 June 22 at 23:44
    tmeerbott said:
    It seems like the answer on achievements kind of glosses over the question. They claim to let people play the way they want but then still put discriminatory achievements in their games. A perfect example is the LASO achievement in Halo Infinite. Not everyone has the fine motor control or reflexes to be able to complete this. I know there will be some people on this site will just say "get good" but in reality, that isn't an option for some people.

    I agree Xbox has come a long way in their efforts for accessibility, but they still have a long way to go.
    The point of achievements is that they are ACHIEVEMENTS, it's like saying that medals are unfair because not everyone has the time/skill needed to earn them
  • VudixVudix4,870,092
    Posted on 20 June 22 at 03:16
    Colt45 UK said:
    I'd love to see if Xbox includes an overlay to indicate where the audio is being heard from.

    Similar to this https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/audio-radar-see-the-sound but it's too expensive and it's not available to order from what I see.

    I've been waiting for something like that so I can play PUBG and a few other FPS. Fortnite has its own built-in but not PUBG? - I think all games should have visualised sound effects as I am not the only Deaf gamer.
    Colt, this is a great idea. Thank you for sharing that project! My eyes lit up and now I’m genuinely curious as to if anyone has made large scale platform moves. I haven’t quite dug into accessibility a lot but it’s definitely worth a chat. Are you comfortable with me talking about this in a meeting? I decided to propose a meeting to Anita after seeing this article to discuss some workings I had with Chris Novak prior to his departure from the Xbox family. I’d be shocked if she says they haven’t considered something like this!
    Vudix: Game Developer; Acquisitions Manager; Soldier. Let’s fix some games!
  • hammerpunchhammerpunch887,150
    Posted on 22 June 22 at 23:07
    If a game allows me to be invincible and still be able to unlock achievements then I'm sure as hell not gonna say no to that! dance
    3 can keep a secret. If 2 are dead
  • Boots OrionBoots Orion1,206,408
    Posted on 27 June 22 at 13:29
    Elyoh said:
    I've personally noticed the growth in accessibility options, most specifically subtitles, in recent times. I always have subtitles on, and whenever a game doesn't have them I often struggle to hear everything going on.

    More power to them, and I'm glad Microsoft have this view! Thanks for the interview.
    Same for me Re: subtitles. I find people who say they hate them are the ones who are constantly asking "what did s/he just say?".

    Anyway, for me the only things I don't like subtitles for are live sports and stand-up. Subtitles can ruin the timing of a joke as you see the punchline before the build up.
    This comment has been approved by Boots Orion.
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